How to Make the Best Vintage DIY Plant Label Markers

Create your own easy DIY plant labels that will last years in the garden and add character to your garden space.

How to Make the Best Vintage DIY Plant Label Markers

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Why you should use plant tags

As an avid and passionate gardener, I know the optimism I feel every spring when I’m sowing hundreds of seeds. I tell myself I will remember what I’m planting and where, but come the following year (if not sooner) I almost always forget. Plant tags eliminate this guessing game and prevent the unintentional weeding of wanted plants.

The best part is with DIY plant markers I always remember what each plant is at the end of the season. These weather resistant plant labels are perfect for any plant in the garden, but they are a must for perennials.

Different types of DIY plant markers

There are a lot of creative ideas when it comes to plant tags. Plastic tags are most common, but DIY plant markers can also be made from old spoons, polymer clay, old bricks, soda cans, wooden spoons, paint pens, and paint stirrers. Plant markers can be a great way to create new uses for everyday items.

For example, you could make wood labels by painting wooden stakes or paint sticks. Acrylic paints, chalkboard paint, or spray paint would all work great for this. You could also use a wood burner to write out each plant name on a wooden stake or paint stick.

DIY plant markers are a great way to add character to your garden space in a very functional way.

Plastic versus Metal Plant Tags

One of my favorite things about gardening is the ability to grow unique food that you can’t buy from the grocery store.  There are so many varieties of fruits and vegetables out there!  Unfortunately, food grown for grocery stores is based more on production and longevity than uniqueness or flavor.

Did you know there are hundreds of different tomato varieties out there?  They range in colors from red, green, yellow, orange, purple, and even combinations of these colors.  I grow several varieties of tomatoes each year and I’m always looking for new varieties to try.  While my tried and true varieties (like Cherokee Purple and Sungold) earn a permanent place in my garden, other varieties get filtered out.

Metal plant tags are perfect for the varieties I know I want to grow year after year.  For those varieties that I’m trialing, I’ll initially use plastic tags like these, or cut up old yogurt containers.  When using plastic tags it’s important to use a marker specifically for outdoor use to prevent fading over time.  These are my favorite markers to use and will easily last all season without fading or washing off.

Vintage DIY Plant Label Markers

These vintage inspired weatherproof plant markers are perfect for fruit trees, flower beds, veggie gardens, and the herb garden.

Plant tags can be as simple as writing on popsicle sticks, but for perennial plants or varieties I plant every year I like to make fun garden markers that will last years. Most of the items you need can be found at the craft store, but I will also link online sources for your convenience.

What you’ll need:

Metal plant tags

Metal alphabet stamps

Hammer

Piece of scrap wood

Black acrylic paint or a fine point permanent marker

Small paint brush

Damp paper towel

Painters tape (optional)

HERE is a compile list of all the supplies you’ll need that you may not have on hand.

Note:  I’ve discovered first hand that not all metal plant tags are made equal.  There are different types and quality of metal used, various thicknesses, label sizes, heights,and sheens.  I prefer to use small-faced brushed zinc metal plant markers in either 5″ or 10″ depending on the plant.  The 5″ markers are significantly cheaper and are perfect for plants like herbs, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and other annual plants.  I prefer the 10″ size for fruit trees and other taller perennial plants.

These are the exact plant tags I prefer.  Of course this is just my personal preference.  There are other options for shinier metals and different finishes like copper.

How to make Vintage DIY Garden Markers

Start by deciding what plant name you want on your label and take each letter you’ll need out of the stamp kit. Getting all the stamps ready ahead of time isn’t necessary but I find it helpful.

Next, plan out where you will start stamping so that the plant name is generally centered on the label. This part can be a bit tricky, but these are meant to look vintage and home made so they don’t need to be perfect. I actually like when the names are slightly off center and the letters a bit tilted. I think it adds character.

Painters tape can be used to help with stamping along a straight line.

Now it’s time to start stamping! First place your label on a scrap piece of wood. Then make sure your letter stamp is positioned correctly, hold it lightly over the metal label, and tap it lightly but firm 2-3 times with the hammer. This part is a bit of trial and error. You need to hit the stamp hard enough to indent the metal, but not so hard that the stamp punches unwanted lines around the letter.

Repeat stamping each letter until your label is complete.

Optional detailing

This step is optional but it adds a nice finishing tough to the DIY plant tags. Use black acrylic paint and a small paintbrush to work some paint into the crevices of each letter. Next, take a slightly damp paper towel to wipe the excess paint off. This will enhance the letters making them easier to read while also giving the label a more vintage look.

How to use DIY Plant Markers

DIY plant markers have a very practical use in the garden, but they can be used in so many other ways as well! Not only can they be used to label outdoor plants or trees, but they can also be used to label houseplants. Stamp out the name of a house plant or just a simple word or phrase like “grow” or “water please.”

These DIY plant tags are even pretty enough to be used as home decor. Try sticking them in faux plant to make them look more real, or gather a few labels and display them in an empty flower pot or decorative pitcher.

These DIY plant markers would also make a great gift for someone in your life who loves plants. They would make a perfect mother’s day gift.

A metal plant tag that reads “Mommy’s Garden” or “Nana’s Garden” would make a very special handmade gift.

You can find all the supplies needed for this project HERE and

other gift ideas for the gardener in your life HERE.

Making your own DIY plant labels are wonderful ways to create garden art that also serves a practical purpose.  I hope you were inspired by this easy project for your garden this year!

Happy Gardening!